Showing posts with label Matthew McConaughey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew McConaughey. Show all posts
Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja to be remade in Hollywood
11:11 AM
M Suganth (BOMBAY TIMES; September 16, 2026)
Vijay Sethupathi's 2024 crime thriller Maharaja is all set to get a Hollywood remake. Speaking to us, one of the film's producers, Sudhan Sundaram confirmed, "Following the success of the film in China, where the film did very well both at the box office (Rs. 91.65cr, according to Sacnilk) and on OTT, we were approached by a Hollywood agency for the remake rights. They are now trying to set up the project with an A-list star. The film is likely to go on floors by next year."
While there's buzz on social media that actor Matthew McConaughey is likely to star in the remake, Sudhan maintained that details like the cast and the studio behind the project will be revealed by the agency.
"Maybe McConaughey is one of the stars they are talking to, but only the agency will be able to confirm," he shared.
Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan and also featuring Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in a negative role, Maharaja - about a barber who goes to the police station to complain about a missing dustbin - was acclaimed for its twist-filled script. It also helped Sanchana Namidass, who played the role of Vijay Sethupathi's daughter, bag the National Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Christopher Nolan has a 2-week rule: ‘We don’t stay away from family for more than 2 weeks if I can help it’-Matt Damon
8:21 AM
Anshul Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 18, 2026)
A few weeks back, Matt Damon made this rather unexpectedly philosophical comparison on the Joe Rogan show, about something that, to most of us, has usually been a less intense thought when we first plan a movie outing: “There’s nothing like watching a film in IMAX – that feeling of sitting with strangers, people from your community, all sharing the same moment. It’s almost like going to church - you arrive at a set time, it doesn’t wait for you, and your attention is total… It’s a completely different level of attention.”
And more recently, he said: “The Odyssey was an experience that I just was in it every day and loving it. And the funniest thing happened, which is just all of the things that might have been difficult for me at an earlier point in my life weren’t difficult. They became fun. Like being wet and cold was not a hardship. It was actually something I felt really lucky to be experiencing. It felt temporary and like a gift. So it was very strange. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced. That’s why I kind of sound like a born-again Christian. It’s a feeling that I’ve wanted and finally had.”
Not many actors have spoken of watching cinema, or being part of a movie, in terms that are adjacent to devotion and faith. So one was waiting to sit across Matt to ask him this: Is this just a turn of phrase, or do you actually feel this deeply about this space and your craft?
“Both”, he says. “Both. Because I do feel that deeply about it, and also... you know, it was such a huge part of my life, and the joy of going… And I talked about it in terms of church because I think, in the cinema experience, you have to go at an appointed time. It’s going to start whether you’re there or not. And so, already, that changes the relationship between something you’re doing at home that you can stop and start. And, also, when you’re viewing at home, which we all do, you’re usually in a room where other things might be happening. The lights might be on, kids might be running around, the dogs might be running around. When you go to the cinema (however), you’re stepping into this other place where you’re paying deference to this event that’s occurring. And so, it’s just a different relationship to what you’re watching. And it’s one that I treasure.”
Then he pauses to rewind. “And it was a big part of growing up. Ben Affleck and I would go to the movies – every weekend we would go. And if you got shut out of one movie, you just went to another that was playing. And sometimes stay and see two movies back-to-back. And I love that experience.”
That memory will bring reassurance to all those who have been castigated for the time we supposedly wasted watching movies. Then Matt shifts to the omnipresent post-Covid screen question: “I’m glad that it’s coming back, that it feels like we’re out of the pandemic, and that young people seem to be going again (to the movie theatres). Because I want that experience for them, because it was such an important part of my life.”
Young people? Well, there is a representative of young people right next to Matt, so we ask Tom Holland, who could still easily pass off as a 21 year old, whether he agrees with what Matt is saying, or does that sound like an older person’s perspective?
“No, I relate to what he says”, Tom instantly says, “and I’m, you know, really excited for the future of cinema. It feels like there’s been this kind of competition between streaming and the theatrical experience, and I feel like people have recognized that they’re not two of the same thing. They’re completely different experiences now. Both can exist in the same world,” he is emphatic on that point.
“And for me, to be a part of a movie like The Odyssey, with Christopher Nolan directing and kind of bringing all of those younger people into the theatre is such a pleasure and it feels like something to be so grateful for.”
Then Tom makes a point about what one has been reading a lot about – the younger age group driving the footfalls to halls globally.
“I think being a cinephile now is something to celebrate, especially in, you know, younger communities. And I think something that I’ve been learning – as I’ve been allowed behind the curtain with the producers and the directors – is that there’s such a great deal of respect for audiences. You know, I think that they really understand that people are coming into these movies with such knowledge about how they’re made, and that’s what I love about how Chris has made The Odyssey, because it’s going to challenge their knowledge. There’s going to be things that they see where they leave the theatre and go, ‘How on earth did he do that?’ I almost can’t wait for the secondary press tour where we can spill all the beans about how he made this movie as epic as it is!”
One holds back the urge to make a quip along the lines of yes, Tom, we are all very aware you can’t wait to spill all the beans . But then, serious-looking Matt’s there, and we move away before Tom spills anything.
‘Interstellar was so emotional because McConaughey’s character lost his children’s childhood’
Every one of us has seen the memes about the cost of Hollywood bringing Matt Damon home. He is forever in a distant land trying to get back home. However, it was back in 2012 or thereabout when he first spoke about how different it is personally. He has a two-week rule: ‘We don’t stay away from family for more than two weeks if I can help it’. So how does somebody with that mindset, when he plays a character like this – how does he imagine he could ever actually live this, could you be away for 20 years from family?
“No, I can’t imagine how it would impact me! It’s one of the reasons why the film Interstellar was so emotional. When I first read that script, that idea that Matthew McConaughey’s character lost the childhood of his own children because he went to that planet and lost all that time, which just was so terrifying to me. And so we did always have a two-week rule. And we always observed it until this film – this film was the first time. The first stretch I was away, I think, for three and a half weeks, before my kids came to visit. And so, yeah, it definitely, for me, it was a shocking experience in that regard, and it certainly helped me relate to the character.”
‘We were really spoiled with Chris’ script’
Nolan keeps saying that The Odyssey is made around ethical dilemmas and impossible situations, and that’s what makes this story work. We ask both the actors to give a sense of what was their ‘impossible situation? Something so far away from their own personal space or your own philosophy that when it was read out to them, they said, ‘okay, how do I create this, this moment, in this situation?’
Tom goes first. “Well, for me, it would be the idea of growing up without a dad. I was so lucky in my life that my dad was so present. I had both my parents work from home. My dad was a comedian, so his job would exist once we had gone to bed. So, in our minds, dad was home all the time. And I couldn’t imagine growing up in any other way. So, for me, playing Telemachus felt like a huge departure from the personal life that I’ve been lucky enough to live.”
But he goes on to add a caveat, as to why it was not as difficult as it might have been: “We were very lucky, though, with Chris’s script. You know, any of those questions or those unknown or uncharted territory, everything was on the page. You know, we were really spoiled with this script that was full of every detail you could possibly want. And then Chris is so up for discussion. He really, really loved to chat through the characters and all that sort of stuff. So we were really, really spoiled as actors.”
(Bollywood directors, leaving that here for you: be up for discussion, ok, even Nolan is!)
“I would say the same thing about the script”, says Matt, and elaborates. “Something like the song of the siren is something, you know, I’d wondered ever since I read it in the Odyssey, in the poem, what is that song? What does it sound like? What is it actually doing? But Chris’s specificity of what he wanted me to do was so clear. And because he builds the real world around you, what I knew for certain when I read the script was, well, I will be strapped to the mast of an actual ship in the Mediterranean, passing some rocks, with women on the rocks that are calling to me. So he’ll give me every advantage possible so that I can play that kind of existential crisis.”
‘In the case of Odysseus, the siren song is his existential crisis’
Given the amount of testosterone-fuelled, macho, angry cinema that has had the box office registers ringing away in recent years, there’s something one had to just ask them. Basically, this: Both of you play warriors of an earlier age, and the sword is your life, so to say, and yet you aren’t afraid to bring tears to your eyes, or be sad and melancholy on the screen. ‘Boys don’t cry’ seems to have returned to cinema of late. When you are a powerful man and a wielder of weapons, and you have this comfort with weakness and emotion, is this a message to the younger audience, men in particular, that being strong doesn’t mean being unsentimental or being afraid of tears?
“I don’t know if that it’s a message, per se”, Matt says, then elaborates. “I think it’s a part of being a human being. I mean, you go through trials and struggles, you know, oftentimes it can be difficult to remain stoic. It’s interesting to see where that happens, right? So, in the case of Odysseus, it’s obviously the siren song is his existential crisis, but it’s the journey home to see his wife and – I don’t want to give too much away – about his own fear in facing her, because he will have to tell her everything. And it’s a reckoning, almost, that’s so powerful, that he’s avoiding it. And so I just think it’s part of being a human being, experiencing all of these things.”
He then pauses to remind us about a philosophical undercurrent in the story: “I don’t think it’s a message about strength – I mean, he’s plenty strong in plenty places in the movie. He’s plenty brave. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make decisions that he wishes he could take again. And it doesn’t mean that he’s not living with the consequences of those decisions.”
There’s a quaint, almost-poetic touch to the choice of words, that one hasn’t heard in ages.
To conclude, one turns to Tom for what is a fairly obvious query by now.
Tom, was Matt a father figure to you on the set? “He was a father figure to everyone on the set, you know!” Tom laughs. “He’s kind of our fearless leader, and I think Matt really set the tone for the acting department for how we should be tackling every day, and that was with grace and a smile on our face. Regardless of whether Matt was dealing with sideways winds and rain or climbing up a mountain or, you know, being nearly drowned. He always made everyone feel like we belonged and like we were there as a team and that this is going to be really tough, but we were going to have a lot of fun doing it. And I think everyone really respected him for that. And I think that this movie would have been impossible without Matt’s leadership in that.”
Would have been impossible without his leadership? Hmm, that sounded like a member of the crew on Odysseus’ ship, right?
I hope people see me as a serious actor and not just a good looking guy-Karan Tacker
8:48 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 8, 2020)
Karan Tacker started his career as an actor with the television show, Love Ne Mila Di Jodi in 2009. As he completes 11 years in the entertainment industry, he says that he cannot discount the significance of the television industry in his career. He shares, “A lot of people tell me that it would’ve been great if I didn’t do television. It’s very easy to look at things in hindsight and say that if I didn’t do TV, I would’ve cracked my first film a long time back. But I don’t think I want to change anything. I genuinely believe that your experiences shape your future and mould you.”
Tacker confides that the struggle to prove himself still continues. He elaborates, “When I set out to do something bigger, the constant disregard for being a TV actor was tough to go through. I was constantly pulled down by people who told me that they weren’t very keen on working with actors from the TV industry. We’re made to believe that TV actors cannot pull off roles that are of a certain intensity.”
So what’s the big dream? “Matthew McConaughey who’s done a television series called True Detective ends up winning an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club (2013). That’s the kind of career I hope for. I want to explore all mediums. I want to be part of good scripts. I also hope that after the web series Special Ops, people look at me as a serious actor and not just a good looking guy,” he says.
The actor recently expressed his desire to auction his artwork. Talking about it, he says, “I aspire to be an artiste who can act, paint and sing. While picking up paints and trying my hands at painting, I discovered my love for charcoal sketching. I look at pictures online and replicate them with my twist. It’s a nice way of giving back to society by auctioning my paintings and sketches and raising money in these tough times for anyone in need.”
Success changes people’s perception of you and the way they look at you-Rajkummar Rao
8:39 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 19, 2019)
The years of struggle that Rajkummar Rao has seen has helped him shape his career with great maturity and confidence. From playing the second fiddle in several films to becoming a poster boy of content-driven cinema, he has come a long way. Rajkummar talks to BT about how he does not want to limit himself as an actor, how box-office success is not the only thing that drives him, and the life lessons he has learnt from his parents. Excerpts...
Made In China chronicles the journey of Raghu Mehta, a failed businessman aspiring to make it big. You, too, have toiled for years before making a mark in Bollywood. Did that make Raghu’s journey more relatable?
Made In China revolves around Raghu’s journey, from being a nobody to trying to be somebody, and I could totally relate to it. Like me, he, too, doesn’t have a plan B and has a never-give-up attitude. Raghu has struggled a lot with people around him and his extended family is not in favour of him exploring another business idea because he has failed so many times. When I was struggling in Bollywood, I was also told by people to try other mediums. However, I was prepared to face the struggle. I knew that no one would launch me the moment I landed in Mumbai. For two years, people only considered me for character-driven parts. Sometimes, they would either not call me or make me wait, and eventually, they would turn around and tell me that they needed a conventional looking actor with a great physique. However, I didn’t lose hope and had faith that someday, someone would look at me the way I am and cast me. Dibakar Banerjee gave me that opportunity in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). Success changes people’s perception of you and the way they look at you. People have cast aspersions on many actors because they didn’t look conventional. But, these actors proved them wrong and the same people started praising them. This has happened with me as well. Initially, some people thought that I wasn’t cut out for lead roles, but today, they think differently. From then to now, it’s been an exciting ride. I am happy with my career graph, and the way cinema is shifting shapes and people are coming up with great ideas and stories, which are being lapped up by the audience. It’s a great sign for us.
You have been a front-runner for content-driven cinema. Do you ever crave to play the quintessential Bollywood romantic hero?
I am a big fan of the typical Bollywood kind of romance. I love to watch it, but I am not too sure if I can pull it off. Also, I feel that cinema has become more real. Having said that, larger-than-life films are still being made and are doing great numbers at the box office. There should be place for all kinds of films. People will get bored if we keep making only realistic films.
While you had a great run at the box office last year, your films in 2019 (Ek Ladki ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and Judgementall Hai Kya) didn’t have a similar impact on the BO…
I knew exactly what went wrong with my films, which didn’t work. There are times, when you make a good film, but it doesn’t work. However, it’s a personal experience which I wouldn’t be able to share. Sometimes, you realise that a film won’t work at an earlier stage itself, but then, it’s not just about the box-office result, but also about enjoying the process, and becoming part of a good film. Failures teach you a lot more than success, as you learn what went wrong and what not to repeat. I try to live in the present and not think too much about the future. I give my all to every character I am playing at that time, and then, I move on to the next project without thinking about what’s going to happen to it.
You had said in an interview that the industry is quick to typecast actors. Currently, you are the go-to actor for content-driven cinema? Do you ever feel that you are being typecast?
I don’t think I have been typecast. There is still a lot of fire inside me and I don’t want to typecast myself ever. I want to surprise my audience by doing as many films as I can and play different parts. I don't want anyone to slot me in any bracket and think that I can only do certain kind of films. I like challenges. I want people to throw any character at me and it is my responsibility to portray it with conviction. A lot of people ask me about my dream role. I don’t have one. Every role I do becomes a dream part for that moment and for that period. Just the dream of becoming a film actor was a big one for me, and I am happy that I am living that dream every day.
You are known to sink in your teeth into every character that you play. You lost seven kilos for Trapped and grew a paunch for Made In China. While it’s considered to be a big deal in Bollywood, in Hollywood, many actors have undergone drastic transformation...
I have always said that it’s part of my job, and I am not doing anything extraordinary. It’s the demand of my character. If I am playing Subhas Chandra Bose, I have to look like him and not someone from Delhi. It’s my responsibility towards my characters that I have to fulfill. But yes, when you undergo a drastic transformation like Joaquin Phoenix did for Joker, people appreciate it. It’s amazing to see an actor put in so much for the character without using prosthetics. I think that’s phenomenal. I also like what Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey do. I find their work inspiring. They do it because they want to be true to their characters and not for appreciation from people.
For Made In China, I made my tummy a little heavy, because I wanted to look different in the film. I ate a lot of white rice and cheese and also worked out a lot so that the other muscles were intact. It’s fun when you try to do something different and people appreciate it. But eventually, it’s for yourself; it’s a very lonely process that you go through during that time. As an artiste, you do it for yourself. There were times when my director (Mikhil Musale) was happy with a shot, but I wasn’t and I would go in for a retake because I wasn’t satisfied. You repeat the process till you take out something real from within. Primarily, it’s to satiate the artiste in you and then you do it for your co-actors. If that happens truthfully, it will reflect in the film and the audience will see it. One doesn’t know what will work for the audience. How will they connect with you if you are not in the moment? If you are truthful in that very moment to yourself, your craft and your co-actors, the audience will definitely connect with it. You are not breaking the fourth wall and talking to them; they have to believe in what’s happening in that particular scene. Since I am trained in a film school, I understand performances really well. I can tell the difference between a true performance and when someone is faking it.
This film is more of a situational comedy. What’s your view on adult comedies?
It is situational and there are very responsible actors involved in the film. Nothing in it is vulgar and crass. It’s a family entertainer. But as they say, never say never. If the story excites me as an actor, I don’t find it vulgar and crass, if it’s situational and not just about gags, then I won’t mind doing an adult comedy. But that’s not the plan right now.
You have been a part of several heroine-centric films and two-hero projects. After having tasted the kind of success that you have, a lot of actors would refrain from sharing screen space in so many projects…
I did Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) and Queen (2014); both of them were women-centric stories. I never judge a story on the basis of how my character is shaping the film. The story is paramount, and if my character is impactful and offers me something new and different, I say yes to it. For me, it’s never about playing lead parts, but always about associating with great stories. I love what I do and genuinely feel passionately about my work. It’s as simple as that. I am not doing it to prove a point to anyone. For me, it’s a sacred thing to go on a film set. Insecurity and other things corrupt the environment on the set and then, it reflects in your work. I would never want to feel like that. I have done Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Kai Po Che (2013), so I don’t mind being part of a two-hero or three-hero project. I am very secure as an actor. It’s not that I am going to fight a battle, I am going to do something I really love. I love being on a film set, where everyone is working like one big family.
While you are doing exceptionally well in your career, on the personal front, you suffered two irrevocable losses over the past couple of years when your parents passed away. How have you coped with the loss? Even with all the success, does it get lonely?
I wish my parents were part of this journey and that void will always be there. But apart from that, I am very happy and content with the way work is going and the kind of cinema I am doing. It’s an interesting phase in my life. I do feel lonely. That’s why I am working. When I am working, my mind is busy with a lot of things. But when I am home, travelling, or not doing much, it hits me. Fortunately, I have my loved ones, who keep me grounded and rooted. But I don’t have to put any extra effort to stay grounded, as that’s how I am. With the kind of upbringing my parents have given me, I will always be this way. They have taught me to work hard and be real. They have taught me a lot about honesty and helping others. It’s not difficult to be honest. It’s easier to speak your mind.
Whern Hollywood & Bollywood actors & the Pope came together in Dubai
10:38 AM
Lowdown on what happened at a star-studded Dubai gala to felicitate exemplary teachers
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 15, 2016)
Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Parineeti Chopra represented India
at a global event hosted by the King of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, to honour outstanding teachers from around the world. The ceremony was followed by a private dinner. Guests included Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey with wife Camila Alves, and Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek. Representing Pakistan was singeractor Ali Zafar, accompanied by wife, Ayesha Fazli.
"It was an honour to represent India at a charity event of this stature in the presence of Pope Francis, Prince William, former US President Bill Clinton, present American Vice President, Joe Biden and His Majesty Sheikh Mohammed," says Parineeti who is the brand ambassador of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative in Haryana which attempts to empower women.
Parineeti, a fan of Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi drama Interstellar, had a fan girl moment with the film's lead, McConaughey. "He was surprised that I knew so much about Interstellar and that I have watched all his films. I have even read Interstellar's screenplay," reveals the actress. "We took a buggy ride to the beach together too. It was fascinating."
Hosted by The Varkey Foundation, the gala was also attended by heads of
development organisations from around the world including China, UK and
Africa. There were also 10 short-listed teachers who were felicitated on
the occasion. Former refugee-turned-Palestenian teacher Hanan Al Hroub
was honoured with the $1 million Global Teacher prize. On the Pope's
request, Camila Alves was asked to plant an olive tree as the symbol of
peace and prosperity. The ceremony was followed by a dinner on the beach with performances by Korean and Moroccan artists. Joining them on stage was Ali Zafar who belted out some of his popular chartbusters including "Jhoom," "Madhubala," "Sun Le Sajaniya" and a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine". "It was a beautiful set-up with dignified guests.
I am a huge Amitabh Bachchan fan so when I spotted Abhishek in the audience, I couldn't resist, and broke into "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala". He joined me on stage to shake a leg, with Matthew following suit. Camila came up after a few songs. We taught Matthew and her a few Bollywoodstyle thumkas," Ali informed from Dubai.
Recounting his own experiences with a hard-toplease teacher, Ali said, "No matter how hard I worked, this professor was stingy with praise. When I asked him he told me not to fish for compliments but to work harder. He helped me dig deep into my energy. I am a better person thanks to him."
Khiladi Kumar emerged as the starstruck star of the night. He documented the moment by getting clicked with Salma Hayek and described it as the "the selfie of a lifetime".
James Marsden is lying that he's not at all romantic-Michelle Monaghan
8:33 AM
Hollywood stars James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan on their upcoming film The Best of Me, Bollywood and why they aren’t shy of television
Shakti Shetty (MID-DAY; November 2, 2014)
It's not often that Hollywood actors come to Mumbai to promote their films. Given the fact the market share of American movies backed by Hollywood studios is only 10 per cent in India, it’s indeed a rarity to spot film stars from the West. Unless they are on a secret vacation and avoiding shutterbugs at all cost! These are the some of the reasons why we were intrigued to learn that James Marsden (of the X: Men fame) and Michelle Monaghan (feted for her strong part in True Detective) were in town for the promotions of their latest film based on Nicholas Sparks’ romantic novel: The Best of Me. Making the most of the event, hitlist sat down with the two and had a freewheeling chat.
The late Paul Walker was the first choice for the role you play in the film. What was your reaction when you were offered the part?
James Marsden (JM): I don’t remember my first reaction. It was really tragic to learn about his demise and I can’t say enough about how good he was not only as an actor but also as a person. When they finalised me, all my thoughts were directed towards making sure I do justice to the role.
Michelle, what exactly do you look for when you’re offered a script?
Michelle Monaghan (MM): I look for material that I haven’t come across before. As an actor, you don’t want to repeat yourself. If you do that, they’ll stereotype you and you don’t want that to happen. I took up The Best of Me because I always like Nicholas Sparks’ writing. Besides, I was getting an opportunity to work with a director such as Michael Hoffman.
As the film is about a classic love story, did you two hit off easily on the sets?
JM: I always wanted to work with Michelle as I’ve been a huge admirer of her work. I’d only heard nice things about her — how amazing she is and all — so when the script came my way, I took it. Sometimes, you not only want to work with someone but also know beforehand that you will. This was certainly one of those cases. Also, we had time to know each other before actually get down to shoot in New Orleans. So that really helped.
MM: And we both are very easy-going people ( laughs).
JM: Absolutely.
Did you read the novel as a part of your preparation?
MM: No, I didn’t. Did you?
JM: I didn’t, either. But I’m sure Nicholas was okay with us not reading the novel because he knew that the script is relatively different from the novel. So we had our blueprint ready and we focused on the script as well as Michael’s direction.
Would you call yourself a romantic?
MM: Totally.
JM: My biggest challenge was to act romantic because I’m not at all romantic in real life.
MM: That’s a lie.
JM: (Laughs)
James, do people happen to call you Cyclops on the street?
JM: Yes, all the time. And they do this thing (places two fingers on his temple, a symbol associated with the X: Men character he plays) asking me to not take off my sunglasses or else I’ll kill them all (covers eyes with his palm).
MM: (Laughs) That’s hysterical!
JM: I know, but it’s fun at times.
Will you be part of the upcoming season of True Detective?
MM: No, I don’t think so. They are coming up with something totally different from the first season and I’m not part of it.
If you were asked to describe Matthew McConaughey (co- star in True Detective) in one word, what would that be?
MM: Let me think.
JM: “Alright”?
MM: (Laughs) No, no, he’s a very open person in every aspect of his life, be it in his work or with his family. And he’s very dedicated. When you’re working with him, he inspires you.
JM: That’s two words there. You can pick only one.
MM: Okay, okay. I’ll go with open.
Speaking of television shows, do you see yourself going back to the small screen anytime soon?
JM: Why not? It’s not the medium, it’s the quality of writing that appeals to me. If a role is fascinating enough, I’d happily go back to television.
MM: Same here. I don’t think the medium makes much of a difference as long as you’re enjoying being part of something you believe in.
Michelle, is it true that you once wanted to be a journalist?
MM: Yes, I pursued journalism in college but I didn’t wait to complete it as I had other plans. And here I am!
How familiar are you with Indian cinema?
JM: Not as much as I’d love to be. Now that I’m finally here I’ll definitely enlighten myself.
MM: Ditto (smiles).
Have you been to India before?
JM: Nope. This is my first visit and so far, I’ve only seen this hotel (smiles) but I hope to step out in the sun and explore for myself. I’m already loving the place.
MM: I reached a few days ago and I’ve been out and eating a lot (laughs). The food is amazing. But more importantly, I like the people. They are so warm and don’t seem bothered by the harsh weather.
James, your work in Hairspray (2007) was all about music and dance. Do you fancy doing something of that in a Bollywood movie?
JM: I simply love the way Indian films embrace musical elements so beautifully. I believe Hollywood needs more of that. Hairspray was one of the most joyous experiences for me as an actor. Every day was like a camp, trying to learn a new dance step or something. It was always about being in sync with the team and not just one actor on the stage. That’s something I love about filmmaking — the collaborative aspect of accomplishing something together.
Lastly, are there any downsides of being a Hollywood star?
MM: I can’t think of any. Can you?
JM: I’d say the only downside is that you don’t get to spend as much time with your family as you’d normally like to. You’re constantly travelling and away from home.
MM: I’d second that.
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